Signal to Noise Ratio

We live in a fast-paced, in your face kind of world. Messages seem to bombard us from the moment we rise to the time we go to bed at night. Some of that noise is a choice, and some of it isn't.

I know for sure that I spend way too much time online. And I also have a tendency to turn the TV on the minute I walk in the door...often just for background noise.

But something occurred to me this week is how much power you and I have to weed out the noise. DVR, RSS feeds, power off buttons, etc give us the power to either scale back noise or shut it out completely.

Ironic isn't it? Technology has not only given us an unprecedented amount of noise, it has also given us the ability to tune that noise out (and simultaneously amplify the signal.)

But technology aside. I think the same thing can apply to our friendships and relationships. We often spend a ton of time practicing the noise (daily conversations, routines, etc) and forget about what signals we've been sending (love, joy, affirmation or a lack there of).

Here's to a broadcasting a better signal, and reducing some of the noise.

iMix: A Dustland Fairytale

Looking for some new jams? I recently made an iMix for a friend and thought I would share with you too. Enjoy...

If you're reading this on Facebook, click here to view the iMix.

Fistful of Dollars: The Kiva Story

Wanna change the world? No, I'm not kidding. You can do just that with $25 and 10 minutes.

I'm 97% sure that if you're reading this right now, you have both. Either way, you should check out this powerful video.


A Fistful Of Dollars: The Story of a Kiva.org Loan from Kieran Ball on Vimeo.

Kiva.org is not waiting around for any politicians or parish to try to change the world. They are doing so, one person at a time. You can donate directly to someone in the world, which means you are contributing to their startup capital.

In essence, Kiva is turning the world into a massive network of mini-VC's and entrepreneurs. I'm pumped about where this road will lead.

But regardless of whether you donate to Kiva or a similar fund. The main idea is that you are blessed. And I am blessed. And with that blessing comes responsibility.

It's time to stop thinking about changing the world, and get busy changing it. Beginning with just one person: you.

You Influence Me

If you're reading this right now, you've influenced me. You may not realize it. Perhaps it was in a major way with a close friendship, or just something you posted a few days ago that I read in passing.

Either way, I want you to know that it affected me. I share that, to say this: you have more influence than you know.

In today's hyper-connected world, we encounter hundreds (if not thousands) of messages a day. Phone calls, text messages, banner ads, emails, tweets, facebook posts, etc.

Our generation can't lift a finger without telling the world about it. And the interesting thing is, influence is a double edged sword. There's the positive kind and the negative kind. But regardless, you are influencing those around you (and virtually connected to you) in more ways than you can begin to fathom.

So why not dial down the negative banter, and step up the inspirational blog posts and words of advice? I for one would really appreciate it.


Get your weekly influence fix, subscribe to john blog.

Bush vs. Obama: Tag Cloud Edition

Two men. Two speeches. Two watershed moments in our recent history. Seems to me President Obama really highlighted a "New Nation" where President Bush had a lot to say about "Freedom."

Obama's First Inaugural Speech (2009)



Bush's Second Inaugural Speech (2005)



gracias to ReadWriteWeb

From MLK to Obama: a (very) brief history

Tomorrow our great nation will inaugurate the 44th President who also happens to be the first African-American to hold this ultimate office. But today we remember one of our country's greatest leaders: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Two score and five years ago, he headed to Washington, D.C. to give a speech entitled "Normalcy Never Again" (aka "I Have a Dream.") On that day, our country finally began the healing process that President Lincoln laid the groundwork for with his great proclamation.

I can hardly imagine how Martin Luther King, Jr. would feel if he had lived to see today. In theory his dream has become reality. His sons and daughters have the freedom to play with children of all colors.

But what about that other bit? You know the one about being judged by the content of our character, not the color of our skin. Well, that gets a bit more tricky.

We have Civil Rights Laws, Affirmative Action, NAACP, and countless other measures to try to ensure that his dream continues to become reality.

I use the word "continues", because I don't think we're there yet. We've made a ton of progress, but I believe we have a long way to go. From Rodney King to the Jena Six, racially motivated hate crimes have not gone away.

As talented and controversial poet, Kanye West, coined "Racism still alive, they just be concealing it." It's all around us. You've seen, and I've seen it. Today we call it by different names, but prejudice will not die at the stake tomorrow as President Elect Obama takes the oath of office.

But one thing should happen. We should all pause to take a step back. Take a giant breath. And realize just how far we've come.

Tomorrow our country will turn a figurative page in yet another chapter in our storied history. Our Union may still be imperfect, but we're striving feverishly. And that gives me great hope.

Normalcy, never again.

Apply Now: Best Job in the World!

Out of work? Looking for a job? Or better yet, looking for a better job than the one you currently hold? Look no further...

From Tech Crunch:

Australia’s Tourism Queensland is looking for a caretaker to live on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef. Job duties include fish feeding, snorkeling and blogging about your experience.

Pay? AU$150,000 for six months (about $100,000). Plus “return airfares from your nearest capital city (in your home country), accommodation and transport on Hamilton Island, travel insurance for the contract period, computer, internet, digital video and stills cameras access."



You can apply here. Applications are due by February 22.


Looking for (one of) the best blogs in the world. Look no further...subscribe to john blog.

In God We Trust?

I received the following email this week...

"Here's your chance to let the media know where the people stand on our faith in God, as a nation. NBC is taking a poll on "In God We Trust" to stay on our American currency.

Please send this to every person you know so they can vote on this important subject. Please do it right away, before NBC takes this off the web page.

Poll is still open so you can vote. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103521/

This is not sent for discussion, if you agree forward it. If you don't, delete it. By my forwarding it, you know how I feel. I'll bet this was a surprise to NBC."


After thinking about it for a few minutes. Here was my response...

"86%. I would say "In God We Trust" is staying put.

But does God really care whether his name is on our money? Maybe we should ask Him. And if money is the root of all evil, perhaps He doesn't want to be any part of it.

Just a thought."


What do you think? Is it important to you to have God mentioned on our money?

Social Media: Hip Hop Edition

It's 2009. Are you tired of explaining social media to your friends and co-workers?

Why not let Poetic Prophet handle it for you...



If you're reading this on Facebook, click here for the video.

iPhone App Wish List

Dear iPhone Cocoa Developers,

Here's a Top 10 list of iPhone Apps I'd like to see in 2009...

10. iLike
9. Super Mario Brothers 3
8. Grand Theft Auto
7. Qik*
6. Kayak (w/ online booking)
5. Slideshare
4. ESPN
3. eTrade
2. Contra

1. Hulu

What really awesome apps would you wish for in 2009?

If you're on Facebook, be sure to check out the group I recently created: Really Schweet iPhone Apps.